Moore on Mercury: The Planet and the Missions

ISBN-13: 9781846282577 / Angielski / Miękka / 2006 / 140 str.

Patrick Moore

Opis

Mercury is one of the more difficult objects for amateur astronomers to observe because of its close proximity to the Sun. For the same reason, it is also one of the most fascinating and strange planets. Mercury is not much larger that our Moon, but orbits the Sun at an average distance of only 58 million km, compared to the Earth's 150 million km. On its sunlit side, Mercury's surface temperature can exceed 450C while the night side freezes at -180C. Mercury has been the target of professional astronomers through the ages, and then of space probes, the most recent of which - MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging) - will go into orbit around Mercury in 2011. Amateur astronomers can see Mercury and its ever-changing phases all year, and sometimes watch it transit the Sun - the next transit is in November 2006, followed by one in May 2016. In his inimitable, easy-going style, Patrick Moore describes Mercury, the professional astronomers who have observed it over the centuries, amateur observations, and the past, present and future space missions to this extraordinary world.

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"Because it is never very far from the sun in our sky, Mercury is one of the least studied planets, by amateurs or professionals. Astronomer Moore’s compact book … provides a concise summary of some of mercury’s unique properties. … The book summarizes that mission and offers a mini-atlas of the planet’s surface and a short prospectus for the Mercury Messenger mission on its way now. … General readers; lower-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students." (T. D. Oswalt, Choice, Vol. 45 (1), 2007)

"Moore on Mercury provides the reader with a concise summary of all things Mercurian on the eve of this historic encounter. … it provides an excellent introduction to the planet, and the author does a fine job of placing our study of this world in its proper historical context." (Brendan K Ward, Astronomy and Space, May, 2007)

Spis treści

Lift-off Elusive Planet Messenger of the Gods Mercury in the Solar System Crossing the Sun – Mercury’s Transits The Movements of Mercury Ghost Planet Through the Telescope Mapping Mercury The Flight of Mariner 10 Around Mercury Return to Mercury: the Messenger Project Life on Mercury? Travel to Mercury Mercurian Base Appendices